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Lab unveils new robotic recruit

THE MoD’s newest recruit is named Porton Man after the home of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), at Porton Down.

Built using advanced lightweight materials developed for Formula One racing cars, he is able to walk, march, run, sit and kneel, and can even lift his arms to sight a weapon like an infantry soldier.

More than a hundred sensors all over the robot’s body record data during tests, enabling scientists to carry out real-time analysis on equipment such as chemical and biological suits in a realistic but secure environment.

Jez Gibson-Harris chief executive officer of i-bodi Technology in Buckinghamshire, the company that designed and built the mannequin, said: “Our brief was to produce a lightweight robotic mannequin that had a wide range of movement and was easy to handle.

“Of course there were a number of challenges associated with this, and one way we looked to tackle these challenges was through the use of Formula One technology.

“Using the same concepts as those used in racing cars, we were able to produce very light but highly durable carbon composite body parts for the mannequin.”

Mannequins have been used by Dstl in the past, but this animatronic version is unique to the UK.